Can-handling mechanism.



R. D. KING.

CAN HANDLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-25. 1914.

Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

I3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

R. D. KING.

CAN HANDLING MECHANISM.

' APPLICATION man Nov. 25. 1914. i 9 1L 9W Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

13 SHEETSSHEET 2.

w in T R. D. KING.

CAN HANDLING MECHANISM.

- APPLICATIUN FILED NOV. 25, 19PM N 9 m o Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

I3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

R. D. KlNG.

CAN HANDLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1914.

Patented Aug. 29, 191

I3 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

wwm

R. D. KING.

CAN HANDLlNG MECHANISM.

H APPLICATION FILED NOV- 25,1914- 1 9 1 6 11;? Pzvtentm Aug. 29, 1916.

13 SHEETSSHEET 5.

66662 v \0 frwemd f R. D. KING.

CAN HANDLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.'25, I914.

Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

, D. KING CAN HANDLlNG MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-25.1914.

Patented. Aug. 29, 1916.

I3 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

R. D. KING.

CAN HANDLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25. 1914.

Patented Aug. 29, 1916,

wmmw R. D. KING.

CAN HANDLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-25.1914.

Patented. Aug. 29, 1916. '&l3 SHEETSSHEET 9.

R. D. KING.

CAN HANDLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, I9I4.

I ,1 WWW" I Pafented Aug. 29, 1916.

I3 SHEETS-SHEET l0.

R. D. KING.

CAN HANDLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1914. fl 1 QG VUU, Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

I3 SHEETSSHEET I].

R. D. KING.

CAN HANDLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, IBM. 1 A H w Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 12.

R. D. KING.

CAN HANDLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 25, I9I4. L 1 wim Patenfed Aug. 29, 1916.

13 SHEETS-SHEET I3.

nor n. KING, or onrcaeo, rumors, a'ssrenon 'ro THE JOHN wftm nvaroaa'rnna MILK COMPANY, or HIGHLAND, ILLINOIS.

tures hereinafter described with referencev to the accompanyingdrawings, in which I have illustrated the same,'and the said inventionis fully disclosed in the following specification and claims.

Referring to the said drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of asystem for dis tributing, loading and'unloading cans for the purpose ofsterilizing the same. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of my improveddistributer, designed particularly for separating a single line ofcylindrical cans into a plurality of lines for the purpose of feedingthe same into my improved loading device, although it may be used forother purposes wherefound desirable. Fig. 3' is a longitudinal verticalsectional view of the same taken on line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is alongitudinal horizontal sectional View taken on line 22 of Fig. 3. Fig.5 is an end View of the distributor. Fig. 6 is a transverse verticalsectional view of the same taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a sideelevation of the tracks which connect the distributer with the loader.Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of theloader used in'connection with my improved distributer, and designedespecially for separating "the different lines of cans into apluralityof horizontal rows of five lines each, and for supporting said rowsprior to their being loaded into a transfer basket or similar device forthe purpose of conveying the cans to the sterilizer. Fig 10 is a planview of the frame work of the loader. Fig. 11 is an end elevation of theunloading end of the loader. Fig. 12 is a fragmentary detail showing themeans of connecting the transfer basket with the loader. Fig. 13 is anenlarged fragmentary longitudinal, vertical sectional View of a portionof the loader taken on line 1010 of Fig. 13. Fig. 14 is a fragmentaryfront end view of Fig.

D. KING, citizen NDLIING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Fatent. Patented Aug. 2 91 11916.. Applicationfiled November 25, 19M. Serial No. 874,006.

13, showing one of the cam flights. Fig. 15 is .an enlarged fragmentarytransverse, vertiwalls between the can flights of the loader. F 1g. 17is a side elevation of the transfer basket mounted upon a tilting orrocking truck. Figs. 18 and 19 are end views of the same. Fig. 20 is atransverse vertical sectional view of the transfer basket taken on line17-47 of Fig. 17. Fig. 21 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectionalview, showing the transfer basket connected with and being loaded by theloader, a portion only of the loader being shown. Fig. 22 is a sideelevation of the unloader, with which the transfer basket is connected,after the cans have been sterilized, and into which the cans are fedfrom the transfer basket by gravity. Fig. 23 is an enlarged end View.Fig. 24: is a similar View from the opposite side. Fig. 25 is anenlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View on the line 23 23 of Fig.24. Fig. 26 is a similar view taken on line 24-2i of Fig. 24. Fig. 27 isa side elevation of the delivery tracks for bringing the five lines ofcans back to a single line, shown in connection with a fragment of theupper end of the elevator of the unloader.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved device designedparticularly for handling cans, andit comprises means for distributingor separatinga single line of cans-into a plurality of lines, means forseparating each of said plurality of lines of cans into a number ofhorizontal rows or sections by gravity, means for loading or words, ifhave devised a novel system for mechanically loading a receptacle withcans, which are conveyed in said receptacle to and are introduced into asterilizer, and after Hill? leaving the sterilizer the receptacle ismechanically unloaded. The. mechanical means consists largely ofgravitydevices which are used for transferring the cans from one part of thedevice to another.

In my novel system, I employ one set of mechanism, which I will term adistributer, another which I will designate the loader, and stillanother which I will call the unloader. 1

A further object of my invention is to provide a series of mechanisms,which will be positive in their action, and which will eliminateunnecessary handling of the cans, and which may be successfully operatedby unskilled labor. It is to be understood, however, that the system maybe utilized for handling any kind of cylindrically shaped articles, suchas barrels, jars, etc., and in other relations in which its use will beadvantageous or desirable.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a distributing mechanism whichmechanically separates or distributes a single line of cans into aplurality of lines of cans, from which they move by gravity into aloader which separates each of the lines intoa number of differenthorizontal rolls. After the loader has been filled, the contents thereofare fed by gravity into the transfer receptacle. The transfer receptacleafter being loaded is deposited by suitable means in a sterilizer, wherethe cans are sterilized. After sterilization, the transfer receptacle isremoved from the sterilizer and the cans released from the receptacleand fed by gravity into the unloader, which reverses the lines and rowsof cans back into a single line.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated diagrammatically in Fig.1, A represents the distributor which separates a single line of cansinto a plurality of lines of cans, which travel down the divergingtracks B to the loader C, which separates each line into the pluralityof rows in the same line. D represents the transfer basket in which thecans are conveyed from the loader C to the sterilizer E and after beingsterilized the cans are conveyed to the unloader F, which reverses theplurality of verging tracks G,

"lines and rows of cans back into a plurality of lines and ejects themupon the conwhich finally returns them in a single line. r

In Figs. 2 to 6, I'have illustrated 1n de tail the construction of anovel form of distributer, which 'comprisesa frame A composed of sidemembers 1, suitably apertured at 2 and spaced apart and connected tovgether by rods 3.

" A table 5 is mounted upon theside mem- V bers land consists of astationary part 6 and a pair of movable platesor gates 7 and 8, whichare pivoted at 9 and 10 to the frame and are actuated b y meanshereinafter described. 'Mounted above the table 5 in bearing brackets11, is a shaft 12, driven by any suitable source of power (not shown)and is provided with a rigidly conmembers 1 of the frame, beneath thetable 5 is a shaft 22 which carries the star wheels 23, rigidlyconnected to said shaft by the pins 24. One of the star wheels 23 isprovided with a, stud 25 carrying a loosely mounted roller 26. Anothershaft 27 is loosey mounted in the frame beneath the shaft 22 and carriesa toothed disk 28 which is intermittently engaged by the roller 26 whenthe star wheels 23 are rotated in a manner hereinafter described.

The disk 28 is provided on one side with an integral eccentric post 28upon which an apertured plate 29 is secured by means of screws 30. Alink 31 is pivotally connected at 32 to the plate 29 and is providedwith an abutment 33 which is normally maintained in engagement with asimilar abutment 34 on the plate 29, by a coil spring 35.

The pivot pins 9 and 10 upon which the gates 7 and 8 are swiveled, aresupported at their upper ends by the table 5 and at their lower ends bythe brackets 36, which extend longitudinall from the side members 1 ofthe frame The gates 7 and 8 are rigidly connected to arms 37'pivotallymounted upon the pins 9 and 10 and one of these arms is pivotallyconnected at its extremity to a link 38 that is in turn pivotallyconnected to the lower extremity'of a double ended post 39 carried bythe forked end 40 of the link 31 by a pin 40. The extremity of the otherlink 37 is directly connected to the upper end of the post 39.

The rods 3 which connect the two side members 1 of the frame areprovided with resilient coverings 41 and are arranged in staggeredrelation to form a plurality of approximately vertical rows 42, 43, 44and 45 which communicate at their lower ends respectively withhorizontal shelves 46, 47, 48 and 49, and these shelves are connectedwith tracks 50, 51, 52 and 53. The table 5 is also connected with atrack 54 and all i anaemic the feeding end of the loader, as shown inFigs. 7 and 8.' It will also be noted at this point that the gates 7 and8 are provided on opposite edges with cutout portions 56, 57, 58 and 59which allow cans passing over the table 5 to drop through the gates intothe difierent vertical rows 42 to 45 in a manner hereinafter described.

The operation of the distributor is as follows: The cylindrical cans. 4lying upon their sides are rolled onto the stationary part 6 of thetable 5 and are engaged at the gravity controlled end of the feedingdevice by the belt 18, which moves in the direction indicated by thearrows at. As the cans move forward along the table 5 they engage thestar wheels 23 and cause the same to rotate and upon the star wheelscompleting a revolution, the roller 26 engages the toothed disk 28 andmoves the same one step. As the disk 28 is moved step by step, itseccentric post 28 causes the apertured plate 29 to reciprocate the link31 and said link bein connected to the arms 37 of the gates 7 an 8,causes said gates to be slowly opened to their full extent and thenslowly closed.

As the machine is constructed, the first twelve cans coming from thefeed belt 18' will roll by gravity over the gates 7 and 8 and onto thetrack 54 down which they continue to roll to the loader, hereinafterdescribed in detail. The passage of the first twelve cans causes thestar wheels 23 to make two complete revolutions and this advances thedisk 28 two steps or a sufficient distance to swing the gates wideenough to allow cans to drop between the cut out portions 59 into thepassage 45 and down onto the shelf 49, where they roll by gravity ontothe track 53 and continue to the loader. As the cans proceed in theirforward movement the star wheels cause the gates to continue to openuntil the eccentric 28 starts to reverse the movement of the link 31,when the gates will be intermittently closed.

In order that the distributor may deliver twelve cans to each row of theloader at one complete operation of the distributer, the gates 7 and 8will not be opened Suficiently to allow the cans to drop into thepassage 45 until twelve cans have passed over the gates and continueddown the track 54. The gates then intermittently admit six cans to thepassage 45, six to the passage 44, six to 43 and twelve to 42. Then, asthe gates close they admit six cans to passage 43, six to 44 and six to45. This will insure an accurate feeding and loading of the loader.

When the machine is in operation and the movement of the star wheels 23causes the toothed disk 28 to move, it is necessary to hold said disk inproper position for sucoessive actuations, and to do this, l have orcushion for the falling cans.

ltt

provided a lever 56, pivoted at 57 to a bracket 58, which extends acrossthe frametween the gates 7 and 8, to prevent their movement, the safetydevice consisting in making the plate 29 and link 31 in separate parts,held in proper relation by the spring 35, will prevent the crushing ofthe cans or the breaking of the machine, owing to the yielding meansprovided between the members 29 and 31. The simplicity of the mechanismin this step of the can handling system makes further description of itunnecessary, as its operation will be apparent to any one skilled in theart.

Having describedthe construction and operation of my improveddistributor used in handling the cans, T will now describe my novelloader which is used in connection therewith and is illustrated in Figs.9 to 16 of the drawings.

My improved loader comprises a frame work, which is mounted upon aslanting or inclined support 61, and consists of vertion either side ofthe frame work and the upper rods 65 extend beyond the posts at thefeeding end of the loader, and the extremities oftheir extendingportions are connected by obliquely positioned rods 66 to thelowerportion of the frame work. The obliquely positioned rods 66 haveprovided between them five separating walls 67, which are suitably heldin separated position by means of collars 68 upon rods 69, which connectthe two rods 66. It will be understood, that the horizontally disposedends of the tracks 51 to 55, which connect the distributer and theloader, are connected to the loader between the separating walls 67,whereby the cans pass between said walls into the loader in fiveseparated rows.

' Between adjacent separating walls, flights 70 for the cans areprovided, and each of the flights consists of a series of stag ered rodsor pins 71 upon which a belt 2 is stretched in the form of steps. Thebelts of the difierent flights are preferably composed of strips of tin73 covered with a layer of felt 74, which provides a resilient surface Atension means, consisting of a stationary bolt 7 5 and nuts 76 isprovided in each of the flights for the purpose of tightening the belts,in a these stories are held the proper distance apart by means ofcollars 78 which are car- I r1ed by vertically extending rods 79, thatpass through apertures in the floors and are secured by means of nuts80. Each of the floors 77 is divided into five passages to accommodatethe separate lines of cans, by guide rods 81 which are mounted on therods 79, as best shown in Fig. 12. Theforward ends of these guide rodsare pointed and engage recesses 82 provided in the separating walls 67,as shown in Fig. 16, to prevent the possibility of their becoming bentand forming an obstructed path for the cans. Buffers 83 are providedupon the forward edges of the floors 77 toprevent injury to the cans andto eliminate noise.

A stop or end gate consisting of a vertical rod 84 having a plurality ofhorizontally extending tines 85, as best shown-in Fig. 11, prevents thecans from rolling out of the loader, but may be withdrawn when thetransfer basket (hereinafter described) is to .be filled. At the rearend of the loader,

members 86 and 87 are provided at the top and bottom respectively of theframe work to insure ease in the alinement of the transfer basket withthe loaders as hereinafter described.

The cans coming from the distributer will enter the loader by gravityand descend the stair like flights 70, passing down to the lowest seriesof compartments or passages, which will be completely filled before anycans can enter the passages of the floor above, and so on until all thefloors 77 are filled. After all of the floors of the loader have beenfilled the cans may be loaded into the transfer basket, which I will nowproceed to describe.

The transfer basket shown in Figs. 17 to 20 inclusive, comprises asuitable rigid frame work 88, within which area series of floors 89,each associated with a series of guide bars 90, which separate thefioors into a plurality of passages. These floors and guide bars are soconstructed and arranged as, to exactly register with the passages ofthe loader previously described. The-transfer basket is detachablymounted upon a tilting truck 91, which forms no part of the presentinvention.

After the transfer basket has been placed in the position shown in Fig.21, 2'. e. in connection with the rear end of the loader, the stop bar84 carrying the tines 85 is removed from the loader to permit the cansto pass by gravity from the loader into the basket. A stop bar 92carrying tines 93 previously inserted from the top of the basket,prevents the cans from entirely filling the several compartments of thebasket, for a purpose about to be described. After the basket has beenfilled from the loader, the stops 85 are inserted in the loader toprevent more cans from being discharged, and then the stops 93 areremoved. This permits the cans to roll farther into the basket untilthey are halted by the end 94 of the basket, and the stops 93 aretheninserted in'the opposite end of the basket, as shown in dotted linesin Fig. 21, to close the same.

Upon the top of the basket are two cross bars 95, having apertures 96for the reception of a suitable hoisting appliance, not shown, and afterthe basket has been filled it is removed from the truck by said hoistingapparatus and placed in the sterilizer E, which forms no part of thepresent invention.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have devised a novelconstruction of can handling machinery which separates a single line ofcans into a plurality of lines of cans and then separates these linesinto a plurality of horizontally separated rows, which are moved bygravity into a receptacle for conveyance to the sterilizer. Theadvantages of this part of my device will be apparent to those skilledin the art.

Subsequent to sterilization, the transfer basket containing the cans isremoved from the sterilizer and again placed on the rocking truck 91upon which the basket is conveyed to the unloader, which will now bedescribed. Upon reaching the unloader the front end of the transferbasket is connected with said unloader in a manner similar to itsconnection with the loader.

The unloading mechanism is shown in Figs. 22 to 27 inclusive andcomprises a frame work 97 inclosing a series of floors 98, each of whichis separated into a plurality of passages by a series of guide bars 99,to exactly register with the corresponding pompartments in the transferbasket. After the basket has been connected with the unloader the stopbar 92 is removed from the basket and the cans allowed to roll bygravity into the several associated compartments of the unloader.

The cans continue to roll down the several inclined floors until theyreach the elevator, which comprises a frame having two sides 100 and101, the space between which is divided into five sections by means of aplurality of separating walls 102 connected together and to said sidesby rods 103 and spaced apart by collars 104 provided upon said rods.Bearing brackets 105 are provided upon the upper ends of the sides 100and 101 and loosely carry a shaft 106 provided with a number of rigidlyconnected (lIlWB pulleys 107 and with a driving pulley 108, which isdriven from any suitable source of power. Idle pulleys 109 and 110 areloosely mounted upon shafts 111, which extend transversely of the framein staggered relation and a series of belts 112 pass around t e drivepulleys 107 and over the LWWMU idle pulleys 109 and 110. A suitable belttightening device 113 controlled by springs 114 is provided formaintaining the proper tension on said belts.

A series of tensioning belts 115 are secured upon rods 116 at the bottomof the elevator and from there pass inside of the rods .103 whichmaintain the belts 115 at a proper distance from the belts 112 to causea gripping action on the cans at all points between the belts, thusobviating the possibility of the last can in the elevator becominglodged in the shaft.

The necessary tension in the tension belts is obtained by a series ofsprings 117 passing from the upper ends of said belts to one of the rods103. It will be seen by referring to Fig. 25, that the distance betweenthe ends of the flo0rs98 and the movable belts 112 in each of the canelevators, is slightly less'than the diameter of a can, whereby the cansare prevented from dropping more than one floor at a time without havingtheir fall interrupted by the next lower floor.

The movement of the belts 112 causes the cans to pass from the passagesof the unloader into the elevator and be gripped between the belts 112and 115, which causes the cans to follow the direction indicated by thearrows in Fig. 25, whereby the rows of cans are reversed to five linesand elevated.

When the cans reach the top of the elevator they roll out therefrom ontoa series of tracks 118, which converge from the unloader toward theirouter ends, where they are arranged one above another for the purpose ofreturning the plurality of lines of cans back to a single line. Tofacilitate this returning operation, the upper one of the top tracks 118is slightly shorter than thenext succeeding lower track, and the nextsucceeding lower track is slightly shorter than the one beneath and soon, whereby each of the tracks 118 will drop its cans into the nextlower track until the bottom one has been reached, and the bottom track118 is extended to convey the cans to another department.

While 1 have described one form in which m invention may be embodied, Ido not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction shown, asvarious modifications tilt gravity means for separating a single line ofcans into a plurality of superposed rows, and gravity means forseparating each of said rows of cans into a column formed-of a pluralityof superposed layers of cans, said columns being arranged side by side.

3. A can handling apparatus comprising means for separating a singleline of cans 1nto a plurahty of superposed rows, means for separatingeach of said rows of cans into a column formed of a plurality ofsuperposed layers of cans, and means for loading said columns of cansinto a receptacle.

4:. A can handling apparatus comprising means for separating a singleline of cans into a plurality of superposed rows, means for separatingeach of said rows of cans into a column formed of a plurality ofsuperposed layers of cans, and gravity means for loading said columns ofcans into a receptacle.

5. A can handling apparatus comprising gravity means for separating asingle line of cans into aplurality of superposed rows, gravity meansfor separating each of said rows of cans into a column formed of aplurality of superposed layers of cans, said columns being arranged sideby side, and

gravity means. for loading said columns of cans into a receptacle. I

6. A can handling'apparatus comprising means for separating a singleline of cans into a plurality of superposed rows, means for separatingeach of said rows of cans into a column formed of a plurality ofsuperposed layers, means for loading said columns into a receptacle forconveyance to a sterilizer, and means for unloading said cans from saidreceptacle.

7. A can handling apparatus comprising means'for separating a singleline of cans into a plurality of superposed rows, means for separatingeach of said rows of cans into a column formed of a plurality ofsuperposed layers, means for loading said columns into a receptacle forconveyance to a sterilizer, and means for unloading said cans from saidreceptacle and returning the columns back into a single line of cans.

8. lln a can handling apparatus, a distributing device comprising aframe, a table provided upon the upper portion of the same, a pluralityof passages provided in said frame, and opening and closing meansoperable by the cans passing over the table for permitting cans tosuccessively enter the diderent passages.

9. In a can handling apparatus, a distributer comprising a frame, atable provided upon the upper portion of the same, a plurality ofpassages provided in said frame beneath said table, and opening andclosing gates forming a part of said table, means operable by said cansfor permitting cans passing over the sameto successively enter thedifferent passages as the gates are opened and closed.

10. In a can handling apparatus, a distributer comprising a frame, atable provided upon the upper portlon of the same, a plurallty ofpassages provided in said frame beneath said table, star wheels providedin said frame and extending above said table, 10.

gates forming a part of said table for permitting cans to pass over thesame, and opening and closing means connecting said star Wheels and saidgates, whereby the pans passing over said table will engage said starwheels and cause the gates, through the connecting means, to open andclose to allow the cans to successively enter the different passages. aI 11. In a can handling apparatus, a distributer comprising a frame, atable provided upon the upper portion of the same,

a plurality of passages provided in said frame beneath said table, gatesforming a 1 part of sa1d table for permitting cans passing over the sameto successively enter the different passages as the gates are opened andclosed, means operable by said cans for opening and closing said gates,and a feeding device arranged above said table for moving the cans alongsaid table.

12. In a can handling apparatus, a distributer comprising a frame, atable provided upon the upper portion of the same,

- a plurality of passages provided in said frame beneath said table,gates forming a part of said table for permitting cans passing overthe'same to successively enter the different passages as the gates areopened I and closed, means operable by said cans for 4o actuating saidgates, and a feeding device arranged above said table for moving thecans along said table, said feeding means comprising a belt mounted upona plurality of rollers, one of which is driven.

13. Ina can handling apparatus, a distributer comprising a frame, atable proof rollers, one of which is driven, links suitably mountedabove said table for supporting said rollers, and means for supportingthe free end of said links.

14. 111 a can handling apparatus, a distributer comprising a frame, atable provided upon the upper portion of the same, a

, plurality of passages provided in said frame beneath said table, gatesswiveled to and forming a part of said table, and means in the path ofthe cans and operated thereby, for opening and closing said gates,whereby the'cans will be successively admitted to the differentpassages.

15. In a can handling apparatus, a disconnecting said star wheels andsaid gates,

whereby cans passing over said table are adapted to move said starwheels and cause the gates through their connection with the,

star wheels, to intermittently open and close,

to allow the cans to be successively admitted to the different passages16. In a can handling apparatus, a distributer comprising a frame, atable provided upon the upper portion of the same, passages provided insaid frame beneath said table, gates provided with cut away edgesregistering with said passages and swiveled to and forming a part ofsaid table, and means in the path of the cans and operated thereby foropening and closing said gates to allow cans to successively passthrough the different cut away edges of the gates and enter thepassages.

17. In a can handling apparatus, a distributer comprising a frame, atable mounted upon the upper end of the same, passages provided in saidframe beneath said table, gates swiveled to and forming a part of saidtable, star wheels rotatably mounted in said frame and extending abovesaid table, a projecting member provided upon one of said star wheels, agear Wheel rotatably mounted in said frame and adapted to be actuated bysaid projection at every complete revolution of the star wheels, andopening and closing means connecting said gear and said gates, wherebycans passing over said table will actuate said star wheels and throughtheir connections with said gates cause sa1d gates to intermittentlyopen and close to allow the cans to successively pass through said gatesand enter the different passages.

18. In a can handling apparatus, a distributer comprising a frame, atable mounted upon the upper end of the same, passages provided in saidframe beneath said table, gates swiveled to and forming a part of saidtable, star wheels rotatably mounted in said frame and extending abovesaid table, a projecting member provided upon one of said star wheels, agear wheel rotatably mounted in said frame and adapted to be actuated bysaid projection at every complete revolution of the star wheels, andmeans connecting said gear. and said gates, whereby cans passing oversaid table will actuate said star wheels and through theirconnectionwith said gates cause said gates to intermittently open andclose to allow the cans to successively pass through said gates andenter the different passages, said connecting means consisting of aneccentrically operable link.

19. In a can handling apparatus, a distributer comprising a frame, atable mounta ed upon the upper end of the same, passages provided insaid frame beneath said table, gates swiveled to and forming a part ofsaid table, star wheels rotatably mounted in said frame and extendingabove said table, a projecting member provided upon one of said starwheels, a gear wheel rotatably mounted in said frame and adapted to beactuated by said projection at every complete revolution of the starwheels, and means connecting said gear and said gates, whereby canspassing over said table will actuate said star wheels and through theirconnections with said gates cause said gates to intermittently open andclose to allow the cans to successively pass through said gates andenter the different passages, said connecting means consisting of aneccentrically operable link formed of two parts pivotally connectedtogether, and a spring also connecting said parts for holding the samein proper relation.

20. In a can handling apparatus, a distributer comprising a frame, atable provided upon the same, a plurality of passages provided in saidframe beneath said table, gates pivotally mounted on and forming a partof said table, star wheels rotatably mounted in said frame, a roller]provided upon one of said star wheels, a gear wheel rotatably mounted insaid frame and adapted to be intermittently operated by said roller, aneccentric post provided upon said gear, a link having one of its endsloosely mounted on said post, and arms rigidly connected to said gatesand having their. outer ends pivotally connected with the other end ofthe link.

21. In a can handling apparatus, a distributer comprising a frame, atable provided upon the same, a plurality of passages provided in saidframe beneath said table, gates pivotally mounted on and forming a partof said table, star wheels rotatably mounted in said frame, a rollerprovided upon one of said star wheels, a gear wheel rotatably mounted insaid frame and adapted to be intermittently operated by said roller, aneccentric post provided upon said gear, a link having one of its endsloosely mounted on said post, arms rigidly connected to said gates andhaving their outer ends pivotally connected to the other end of saidlink, and a spring controlled lever provided with a roller which engagessaid gear.

22. In a can handling apparatus, a distributer and a loader, and tracksconnecting said distributor and loader, said tracks being arranged onebeneath the other at the distributer ends of the tracks and divergingtherefrom to a common horizontal level at the loader end of said tracks.

23. In a can handling apparatus, a trans fer receptacle comprising ahousing having one open end and adapted to be detachably mounted on arocking truck, a plurality of passages provided in said housing, and astop bar having a plurality of tines adapted to be inserted near theclosed end of said housing and extend across said passages when thereceptacle is being loaded, and be withdrawn and inserted across theopen end of said housing when the receptacle is filled.

24. .In a can handling apparatus, a plurality of elevators, each of saidelevators consisting of a plurality of large and small rollers, a beltpassing around said rollers and adapted to be driven by one of saidrollers, and a stationary belt arranged at a sufiicient distance fromsaid movable belt to allow the cans to be elevated between said belts.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

, ROY l). KING.

Witnesses:

GEO. C. DAvisolv, FRANKLIN M. WARDEN.

